Magnificent Seven

Blu-ray

DVD

Out of the myriad of possible genres used in film one stands out as one of
the most ubiquitous is the western. The American old west has served well as the
foundation for every possible kind of story from light comedy to science
fiction. At first thought you might think it would be difficult to translate a
story set in feudal Japan to the Mexican border of the west but one film secured
a place in cinematic history by achieving that very same goal; ‘The Magnificent
Seven’. This film transcends your preconceptions of the western creating one of
the great classics in the history of cinema. The brilliance of this film is how
it is able to satisfy the requirements of the primary genre, the western, yet
able to soar above that to true trans-cultural greatness. This film has
journeyed beyond its notable influence on a generation of film makers infusing
itself into many aspects of popular culture. The theme music composed by Elmer
Bernstein remains one of the most recognizable in movies thanks not only to the
pulse pounding percussive score but also the basis of one of the most successful
ad campaigns for cigarettes prior to their ban from television. Not a single
aspect of the production of this film can be found lacking in any way. It hits
every requirement for success from the tightly written screenplay to the
perfectly paced direction and a cast whose combined talent would be impossible
to duplicate today. This is as close to the idealized perfect film as you are
every likely to see. Albeit it is light on the feminine touch but for sheer
testosterone drive action there are not many films worthy of standing next to
this one. This is the ultimate western with a surprising philosophical core. If
you do not have this on your shelves then you cannot claim to have a serious
film collection.

The script for this movie was created during a dark period in American
history when many creative screen writers were prohibited from plying their
craft due to the anti-communist blacklist. In a fall out from the dreaded
McCarthy era many actors, producers and actors were not able to work. The true
authors of this screenplay, Walter Newman and Walter Newman went uncredited
while William Roberts lent his name to the credits as a front. Although the
blacklist was eventually listed it still prevented some great works like this
film from being properly credited on screen. The story was a remake of Akira
Kurosawa's 1954 film, Seven Samurai. I am usually not a big fan of remakes; they
typically result from at least some degree of lack of imagination. This movie is
the proverbial exception that proves the rule. The Japanese film explored a
rough world were the powerful; could openly exploit the lower caste. The Old
West fits this paradigm extraordinarily well. There was the same misuse of power
counterbalanced by men of honor willing to place their lives on the line to do
what is right. These men are outwardly drifters, men as violent and deadly as
those preying on the weak. What elevates them above those men is s strong,
unbreakable commitment to their personal code of conduct.

A small Mexican village is constantly terrorized by a bandit gang lead by the
notorious bandito Calvera (Eli Wallach). On a fairly regular basis they swoop in
like a horde of locust taking everything in sight. The situation was just barely
acceptable when the thieves left the village enough for a meager existence but
the last raid left nothing for the townsfolk to subsist on. Pushed into the
corner with their very existence on the line the men of the town select one of
their numbers to go out and hire some gunmen to defend the village. Their
representative locates one gunman willing to help, Chris (Yul Brynner). For the
remainder of the movie’s first act Chris recruits six more men with reputation
of gun play. One of the best and most memorable scenes in the film is when Chris
comes to Britt (James Coburn). This is a man not only deadly with a blade as he
is with a gun. One man challenges Britt pressing this claim him drawing his gun
against Britt pulling out and throwing his knife. Moments later that man is
dead; gun in hand and knife sticking out of his heart as Britt picks up to
follow Chris. Each man has a similar introduction provide a brief but very
informative back story. All of the seven has a different reason for entering his
profession and taking on this job but the one thing that binds these modern day
‘Ronin’ together was their dedication to honor. The film has a lot more than
just action. One gunman, Bernardo (Charles Bronson) breaks from his gruff
exterior forming a bond with three young boys in the village who come to idolize
him. Adding to the mélange of flavors are stories about a young wannabe
gunslinger, Chico (Horst Buchholz) who trails along until he his allowed to join
and on the run Lee (Robert Vaughn) who is also running from his own fears. Of
course you can’t have a film like this without an icon of ‘man’ films, Steve
McQueen as Chris’ friend Vin.

It takes a lot of profession courage for a director to reinterpret a movie
made by one of the true cinematic luminaries as Akira Kurosawa but John Sturges
was more than up to the challenge. While this was a highlight in his amazing
career it was not his only masterpiece. He also directed another favorite
testosterone movie with McQueen; ‘The Great Escape’ and one of the classic cold
war thrillers, ‘Ice Station Zebra’. This film proves that a great story demands
to be reinterpreted by different generations, or in case, different cultures,
the success of this film is ultimately based on the foundation of core human
values, of the eternal battle; between good and evil. It also presents a view
into another classic theme, the dual nature of man. Each of the seven is capable
of deadly acts of violence but also are men of honor.